What I See - April⁰⁷ by D2Nott

"This year has started off as a sort of coming of age. You let them other ni**az get the name, skip the fame. Ten thou' or a hundred Grand keep yo' shit the same. On the low. Yeah, the only way to blow! You let your shit bubble quietly; AND THEN YOU BLOW! Hey keep your cool. The only way to peep a fool is let him show his hand, then you play your cards. Then he through dealin I understand!" -Memphis Bleek and Jay Z- Coming of Age

All this noise from an industry that is really just trying to make sure that the only avenues to making money is to come through the systems that they already have set up. Artist portray this glamor that isn't real; you can fool some of the people some of the time; this is "What I See".

What's the next move for hip hop? As a culture, as a fad; with more and more exposure, the concept of hip hop has dividing lines. There are those that stay true to the craft and those that just sell records with gimmicks. There are a select few that do both. Hip hop is being defined everyday, as the music flows more through the mainstream you get new twists. From segments on 60 Minutes with Cam'ron about snitching, to radio talk show host Don Imus' comments, to hip-hop heavyweights calling for the ban of words while others defend their First Amendment right.

After the Don Imus escapade many industry giants have been speaking out about words that are part of the common vocabulary, especially in the black community. Knowing the many that struggled for racial equality before; the focus shifted from Imus to the Black leaders at to what they would do about themselves and the language transmitted to millions via radio and television.

The discussion of First Amendment Rights, and the FCC, what can or can not be said goes as far back as 1972. George Carlin's (comedian) monologue "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" spurned the wrath of the FCC when it was broadcast on a California radio station. At the time, the words were generally considered highly inappropriate and unsuitable for use on the public airwaves, particularly on over the-air television and AM/FM radio stations. These words are generally censored, though the FCC has never maintained a specific list of words prohibited from the airways during this time period, but has maintained general guidelines regarding obscenities. Yet the word "ni***er" is uncensored on most cable television channels now.

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons has called for the ban of "bi**h", "ho" and "ni**er" from all rap songs. Simmons spoke out saying, "the rap community always tells the truth. I think that it's important that we listen to their voices so we can have a roadmap, because artists' almost every single artist in hip-hop, they paint a picture of society that's overlooked. The misogyny, the racism, the violence, the homophobia, these are things that we try to avoid instead of dealing with." It is seen and heard so often now, from television to even right outside of some people's houses; desensitized those to reality, caught up in trying to live out fantasies. But if you don't have a dream, how you ever gonna have a dream come true? Most do not realize how powerful the music you listen to is and in ignorance support messages that differ from what you as a person stand for. Looking up to Hip Hop heros kids take the words to heart.

Snoop Dogg spoke out on the issue, stating "the fact that while these word are derogatory, being programmed to use these words for so long; it will not just be an overnight change." Chamillionare added that "the negativity the words bring to hip hop music as a whole, is just creating a generation gap. This is more of a societal issue; hip hop is getting looked at as a perpetrator though. Change has to start at the top and be accepted in the community as a whole for change to be seen, its hard to change those that are not trying to change." Others around the country are trying to put this behind us and move forward.

In Detroit, the local NAACP chapter held a symbolic funeral 63 years ago for Jim Crow. July 7-12 the civil rights organization will do the same for the "n-word." Reverend Wendell Anthony, president of the civil rights organization's Detroit branch, said, Members and supporters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will conduct services and a "eulogy" for the racial slur. The mock funeral will be held during the NAACP national convention in Detroit. While offensive to some the word's meaning can be confused and misunderstood. Ignorance is not a disease but it is contagious.

Flip the channel - now we're here with a lot of the same from last month rappers in the news for everything but album sales. It's almost summer time again and there are several highly anticipated albums set to release. The streets and the market are ready to bubbling with newcomers ready for solo debuts. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and with "Crack Music" here to stay. Rich Boy and Young Jeezy are affirming their rapping capability. With a case pending DJ Drama's album is now set to release June 5th. T.I.'s album is set to release early in July In the words of Fredrick Douglas "an educated person can never be enslaved." Is it foolish to try and think outside the box if you are the only one trying to change your surroundings and reality? With another month "rapped" up and summer coming; its time to shine.